Flavors of Tijuana in Uptown
Out of the blue a walk-up trailer selling Tijuana-style tacos recently appeared on Lincoln Avenue near Park Boulevard on the Hillcrest-North Park border. The trailer is marked only by string lights and a small neon sign displaying the word “tacos.” The business name, however, is Taquizas El Flaco, owned by a personable young guy named Angel, who also runs a taco shop in Tijuana.
Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily, the menu changes slightly each day but usually offers slow-cooked birria tacos served with comforting beef-based soup, plus adobada, carne asada, quesadillas, tortas, vampiros, burritos and mulitas. The corn tortillas originate from a small producer in Tijuana. (619) 254-2866, @tacos_elFlacoSD on Instagram.
North Park bistro is coming up roses
The new globally inspired Flora is gaining popularity in the heart of North Park with a menu that hopscotches from Italy to England, and to Morocco, Asia and beyond. Some of the dishes also touch down in North America, with all of them falling under the vision of owners Nino Cusimano and his wife, Ocean Mohamadi.
Their cosmopolitan menu extends to breakfast/brunch daily, and dinner Thursday through Sunday. A stylish, flowery motif sets the stage for creative martinis and bubbly, along with dishes such as shakshuka eggs, green chilaquiles, carbonara rigatoni, fish-n-chips and more. The kitchen is helmed by executive chef Davide Sinibaldi, formerly of Cesarina in Point Loma and Elvira in Ocean Beach.
Cusimano is co-founder of Rusticucina in Hillcrest and Roman Wolves in Little Italy. This latest venture moved into the space that was formerly occupied by Truffle Neighborhood Cucina. 3021 University Ave., (619)228-9570, floranorthpark.com.
Delicacies roar into a downtown hot spot
In celebration of its 13th anniversary, The Lion’s Share has introduced several new dishes that land squarely in the exotic-fare category.
Executive chef Dante Romero is marrying locally sourced ingredients to seasonal creations such as rabbit-duck terrine with l’orange sauce; bone-in elk chops with shishito pepper relish; and venison sliders with Havarti cheese.
Additionally, his 2024 New Year’s Eve special featuring tempura chicken tenders served with Kaluga caviar and crème fraiche ranch, recently earned a permanent spot on the menu. Other notable dishes that Romero has introduced since coming on board last year include salt-and-pepper frogs legs, bison tartare, and grilled Baja oysters. 629 Kettner Blvd., (619) 564-6924, lionssharesd.com.
Two vegan restaurants conjoin
Evolution Fast Food and Donna Jean have left their Bankers Hill digs for a move into North Park, where they will operate side by side in the 4,000-square-foot structure that housed The Village, which moves in early February to Long Beach.
Evolution has already settled into its new location; Donna Jean will arrive later this month. Eve though both businesses will operate under the same roof and share a parking lot, they will each have separate entrances and retain their own menus of vegan fare. (The structure left behind by Evolution at 2965 Fifth Ave. will soon be razed for a new housing development.) 2611 El Cajon Blvd., (619) 550-1818, evolutionfastfood.com and donnajeanrestaurant.com.
Prestigious nomination for Roma Norte Bar
Congratulations to downtown’s Roma Norte Bar, which fetched a James Beard Award nomination for ‘best new bar.’
Located in The Headquarters at Seaport, the establishment greets with a seductive, softly lit atmosphere and cocktails that are chilled to order using liquid nitrogen. It opened in July as a Mexico City-inspired lounge and features nearly 80 signature drinks, plus tortas and tostadas, and a late-night happy hour. Winners from all semifinalists nationally will be announced June 16 at a ceremony in Chicago. 789 W. Harbor Drive, (619) 600-5535. Visit: romanorte.bar for more information.
TOP PHOTO: Flora cantaloupe olive oil martini: A cantaloupe martini dotted with olive oil at Flora (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)
